Auchterderran Parish Accidents post 1914

This section contains newspaper reports on selected accidents in this area. Please check the indexes in the Accidents Section for details of Inspector of Mines reports and other accidents covered on the site.

14 February 1915

Accident At Bowhill - While engaged in No 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery, on Sunday evening, a machineman named Ernest M'Millan was the victim of a bad accident. He was working at the shifting of a coal cutter and had fallen. A part of the machinery which was revolving caught him, inflicting a severe laceration on the right side of the body and broken ribs. He was removed to the Cottage Hospital, Kirkcaldy, in the colliery ambulance wagon. [Dunfermline Journal 20 February 1915]

20 February 1915

Sudden Death At The Colliery – On Saturday about 1pm, a man named John Black, who was employed at the screening plant of Bowhill Colliery, was suddenly seized with illness and almost immediately expired. Heart failure is stated to have been the cause of death. Deceased, who was 61 years of age, was a widower and resided in lodgings at Eighteenth Street, Bowhill. For many years he followed the calling of a mason [query legibility], and was held in high respect in the district. [Dunfermline Journal 27 February 1915]

29 April 1915

Sudden Death At Pithead - Between 11 and 12 o'clock on Thursday, John McLean, 74, pithead worker, residing in South Street, Lochgelly, died suddenly while employed on the pithead of the Nellie Pit, Lochgelly. McLean was in charge of the girls employed at the coal pickers, and while standing on the platform was seen to fall down. Death was due to natural causes. [Dunfermline Journal 1 May 1915]

5 September 1915

Man Fatally Injured At Bowhill Colliery - Shortly after midday on Saturday, George Bowman, Norwood Cottages, Jamphlars, Auchterderran, was struck by a fall of coal weighing about three cwts. He was severely crushed about the body and died in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on Sunday. [Dunfermline Journal 11 September 1915]

23 September 1915

Gas Explosion In Bowhill Pit - While John Shaw jun (19), miner, 3 Front Row, Cardenden, was employed in taking down a hutch of coal in the Foulford seam of No 1 Pit, Bowhill Colliery on Thursday, he was burned on the right side of the face and shoulder by the explosion of a small pocket of gas. The place had been tested a short time previously by a safety lamp, and gave no indication of gas. It is supposed that the gas has escaped through a fissure in the coal. The burns were not serious. [Dunfermline Journal 25 September 1915]

14 January 1916

Cause of a Contractor's Death – In Dunfermline on Thursday an inquiry was held into the circumstances connected with the death of David Johnston, pithead contractor, lately residing at Station Road, Cardenden, who died on 14th January at Main Street, Townhill, in consequence of an alleged injury to the third finger of his right hand on 29th December 1915 at Minto Colliery, Auchterderran, when pushing a loaded hutch. Dr Angus Walker, Cardenden, deponed that on 3rd January deceased called for him complaining of a pain in the third finger of his right hand. On the occasion of a subsequent call, witness came to the conclusion that the malady was a whitlow. Witness lanced the finger on 5th January. He advised a further lancing, but deceased said he would go to Townhill where he had a sister-in-law, who was a nurse, and whom he would get to look after him. Witness did not see the man again alive. As a result of a post mortem examination on 17th January, it was disclosed that the man had an old-standing heart disease. There was not much evidence in the way of septic trouble in the finger. Witness was of the opinion that the cause of death was blood poisoning. There might have been a connection between the original finger injury and the death, but he could not positively say that there was. Dr Ramsay, Dunfermline, who also attended at the post mortem examination, expressed the view that the injury to the finger had nothing to do with the death, which was due to the condition of the man's lungs with probably a weakened heart. James Deas, pitheadman, Cardenden, a partner of the deceased, spoke to deceased having complained of a pain in his finger. Deceased continued at his work all day and continued to work daily up to the New Year holidays. James Haxton, a weighman at the Minto Colliery said he had heard deceased say, with reference to his finger, that the only thing he could think of getting was a bit of a jab putting a hutch on No 3 tumbler. The jury found the cause of death might have been blood poisoning, which might have been the result of an alleged injury to the third finger of his right hand at Minto Colliery when pushing a loaded hutch. [Lochgelly & Kelty News 16 May 1916]

14 January 1916

Bowhill & Cardenden – Accident – William Peel, 50 South Street, met with an accident at Minto Colliery on Friday last, which though fortunately is not serious, might have had dire consequences. Peel was hanging on at the foot of a brae and when the hutch was drawn away from the brae foot his head was somehow caught between the hutch and bar. After attention at the colliery he was removed home in the ambulance waggon. [Lochgelly & Kelty News January 18 1916]

Accident at Minto Pit – On Friday forenoon while at work in Minto Pit, a lad named William Peel, South Street, met with a rather serious accident, being caught between the roof and a hutch. He was badly jammed, and the worst fears were at first entertained; but the doctor who was soon in attendance, had him conveyed home in the ambulance, where we understand he is progressing favourably. [Dunfermline Journal 22 January 1916]

September 1916

Bowhill – Accident to a Miner – A rather serious accident has befallen Walter Rugvie, miner, residing at Helenview, Dundonald, in Dundonald pit, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company. He was employed on the back shift, and was repairing the road for the coal cutting machine, when a large stone fell from the roof, striking him on the back and pinning him to the pavement. Some men working near soon had Rugvie extricated from his perilous position and conveyed home, when it was discovered that the unfortunate man had four ribs broken and was otherwise bruised. Dr Craig, Cowdenbeath, and Dr Walker, Craigderran, were in attendance. [Lochgelly & Kelty News 5 September 1916]

25 October 1916

Football Players Sad Death – A sad affair occurred at Brighills Colliery on Wednesday morning resulting in the death of John M'Kinlay, miner, Cartmore Road, who was a very popular young man in thew town and a noted football player. Deceased went to his work as usual and was busy at the coal face not far from his father when the roof suddenly gave way and he was buried in the mass. His father immediately went to his assistance and with help had the young man extricated but death must have been instantaneous. M'Kinlay was well known in local football circles and was one of the mainstays of Lochgelly United F.C. A modest unassuming player, he was generally liked and on the field a valuable unit in the eleven. On Saturday preceeding his death he was the most prominent member of Lochgelly in their fixture at Cowdenbeath. The funeral took place on Friday afternoon, when despite the disagreeable weather there was a very large attendance of mourners including numbers of his fellow workmen and football players. The coffin was covered with a large number of beautiful wreaths. [Lochgelly & Kelty News 31 October 1916]

November 1916

Bowhill & Cardenden – Accident – While Mr Fisher, 32, a miner, residing at Clunie Road, Cardenden, was employed in 34th Section, Lochgelly Splint Seam, in No 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery, he was struck by a fall from the face and sustained fractures to several of his ribs. He was conveyed home and received medical attendance. [Lochgelly & Kelty News 7 November 1916]

2 April 1917

Fatal Result of Lochgelly Accident - Alexander Nasmyth (26), miner, lately residing at Church Street, Lochgelly, died in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on Monday. While at work at the coal face on 8th March he was struck by a fall of stone from the roof. At the time the accident was not regarded as serious. Dr Stephen was summoned, and on the following Wednesday he ordered the man to be removed to hospital. [Dunfermline Journal 7 April 1917]

4 & 5 April 1917

Three Fatal Accidents - On Thursday afternoon Henry Hogarth, a miner, lately residing at 123 South Glencraig, met with a fatal accident at his working place in the Nellie Pit, Lochgelly Colliery, by a fall from the roof. He died shortly after he was struck. Hogarth was 36 years of age. On Wednesday night Patrick O'Kane (40), miner, lately residing at Hunter Street, Lochgelly, was fatally injured by a fall from the face in his working place at the Minto Pit, wrought by the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, Ltd. Alexander Gray, a boy of 11 years of age, and the stepson of David Muir, miner, Long Row, Denend, fell over the stone quarry at Denend and was instantaneously killed. [Dunfermline Journal 7 April 1917]

12 June 1917

Fatal Accident At Dundonald - William Beattie, 54 years of age, pit repairer, residing at 54 Dundonald Den, Cardenden, met with a serious accident in the West Mine of Dundonald Colliery on Tuesday evening. While at work he was buried by a heavy fall that came away from the roof. He was severely injured internally and his back was broken. Death took place before he was extricated. Deceased leaves a widow and six of a family, most of them being grown up. [Dunfermline Journal 16 June 1917]

22 June 1917

Miner Killed In Minto Colliery - David Baxter (42), miner, Grey Street, Lochgelly, was instantaneously killed on Friday afternoon by a heavy fall of stone from the roof of No 2 Pit, Minto Colliery. The man's neck was dislocated and he was severely crushed internally. A young lad named William Forrester employed beside Baxter had a narrow escape. One of his feet was jammed by the stone, but he was not seriously injured. [Dunfermline Journal 23 June 1917]

30 October 1917

Cardenden Haulageman's Death - Robert Lawson, haulageman, Woodside Cottage, Woodend, Cardenden, was caught by a race of hutches in No 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery on Monday. The tail chain connected to the race broke as he was going home from his work. He was jammed against the roadside by the race. He sustained severe injuries to the scalp, and his left hip joint was dislocated. He was removed, after being attended by Dr Walker, to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, where he died the following day. He was 39 years of age, and leaves a widow and three young children. [Dunfermline Journal 3 November 1917]

13 December 1918

Fatal Pit Accident - A miner named Robert Clephane, and residing at Overton Road , Kirkcaldy, met his death at Dundonald Colliery, Cardenden, on Friday morning. Clephane had just finished his work and was preparing to leave for the pit bottom, when some supports in the roof gave way and a quantity of debris fell on him. The quantity was not so great, but he was caught by the neck when knocked down and was killed instantaneously. What makes the case all the sadder is that he had been in France for 3 1/2 years and had only been back in the pit for four shifts when the accident happened. Deceased was 24 years of age and unmarried. [Dunfermline Journal 21 December 1918]

14 February 1919

Miner Killed At Lochgelly - At nine o'clock yesterday, while William Dryburgh, 34, a miner, School Lane, Lochgelly, was employed in the five-foot seam No 2 Arthur Pit, Newton Colliery, Lochgelly, a fall of material took place from the roof. Dryburgh was caught by the mass and died as the result of his injuries. [Dunfermline Journal 15 February 1919]

7 March 1919

Labourer's Fatal Accident - The last [Fatal Accident Inquiry at Dunfermline Sheriff Court] concerned the death of William M'Laughlin, labourer, lately residing at Greig's Lodging-house, Lochgelly, who died on 7th March from injuries received on said date in No 2 Pit of Minto Colliery, by being crushed between two races of hutches. William Barclay, colliery manager, Cardenden, said that the dook was about one thousand feet long and twelve feet wide, and that the speed of the haulage was about 1 1/4 miles per hour. The deceased and another man, Jackson, had been on the dook while the haulage was in motion. They were not entitled to be there. Jackson, who had on many occasions acted as roadsman, would be in a position to instruct M'Laughlin. The two men were proceeding to a new job, and had the haulage not been in motion the men would have been entitled to travel up the dook. There was another way by which they could have got to the new job. William Malcolm, motorman, Mid Street, Thomas Scalley, fireman, Minto Cottages, Lochgelly, and Frank Allan, foreman, Cardenden, also gave evidence as to the circumstances of the accident. William Jackson (58), bricklayer, 94 Lumphinnans Road, Lochgelly, who had been working with the deceased when the accident occurred, said that he was on his way to execute some repairs at the bottom of the dook. It was pointed out that while Jackson was technically a bricklayer, he still had qualification as a roadsman to travel on the haulage while it was in motion. The Sheriff, in advising the jury to return a formal verdict, suggested that they should add that the cause of the accident was due to M'Laughlin travelling on the road while the haulage was in motion. The question was whether he was entitled to do that. The jury returned a formal verdict, expressing the opinion that the cause of the accident was M'Laughlin travelling on the haulage while it was in motion, contrary to the Coal Mines Act. [Dunfermline Journal 24 May 1919]

19 September 1919

Lumphinnans - Fatal Result Of An Accident - The death took place in the West Fife Hospital on Friday last week of Mr J Simpson, Main St. Simpson was the victim of an accident in the Arthur Pit, belonging to the Lochgelly Coal Company. At the finish of his shift Simpson was making his way to the pit bottom when he struck his head with great force against a bar, causing such injuries to his neck that he never recovered from them. Deceased who was 61 years of age, and was well known in the district, leaves a widow and seven of a family. [Dunfermline Journal 27 September 1919]

28 February 1920

Bowhill - Sudden Death - While on his way to work last Saturday morning, about 5.30am, Matthew Donaldson, haulage dook engineman, employed in No 1 Pit, Bowhill Colliery, dropped down and expired immediately. He had called at the lamp cabin for his lamp before going to the pithead, and while in the act of getting his lamp he suddenly collapsed. He was removed to the ambulance room which is close by, where Dr A Walker, who had been hastily summoned, pronounced that death had taken place. Deceased was 59 years of age, of a quiet disposition, though not of robust appearance. He leaves a widow and grown-up family, who reside at No 3, Eighth Street, Bowhill. [Dunfermline Journal 6 March 1920]

26 May 1920

Pit Fatality - While at work in No 1 Pit, Brigghills Colliery, James Robb, nightshift fireman, residing at 14 Minto Cottages, Cardenden, was buried by the fall of a large stone weighing 2 1/2 tons, from the roof. When extricated it was found that he had been killed instantaneously. Deceased who was highly respected among his fellow workers, was organist of the Episcopal Church, Lumphinnans. [Dunfermline Journal 29 May 1920]

30 May 1920

Explosion In a Lochgelly Pit - An explosion of gas occurred yesterday morning at Minto Colliery, belonging to Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co. Ltd., and five men were seriously burned. R. Galloway, James Forbes and J. Potter were removed to hospital in a serious condition. Two others A Clark and Robertson, are less seriously injured. The explosion occurred shortly before the night shift ceased work. [Dunfermline Journal 29 May 1920]

Brigghills Explosion - Five men were injured at work in the five feet seam No 2 Pit, Brigghills, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron & Coal Company, by an explosion of gas. Their names are as follows: Walter Galloway, brusher, 33 years of age and residing at 40 Francis Street, Lochgelly; Joseph Potter, brusher, 63 Granger Street, Lochgelly; John Forbes, brusher, 29 Russell Street, Lochgelly; Andrew Suttie Clark, contractor brusher, 1 Hall Lane, Lochgelly; Alex. Brown, nightshift overman, residing at 24 Minto Cottages, Cardenden. Doctors Dickson and Steven were soon in attendance, and after attending to the unfortunate men had the first three named, who were seriously burned, removed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, while the latter two were taken home. William Galloway, brusher, Francis Street, Lochgelly, one of the victims, succumbed to his injuries in the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on Monday. The other two men are making good progress. [Dunfermline Journal 5 June 1920]

Lochgelly Pit Explosion - William Galloway brusher, Francis Street, Lochgelly, one of the victims of the explosion of fire damp which occurred at No. 2 Pit, Minto colliery, Lochgelly, on Friday morning succumbed to his injuries in the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital yesterday. [Scotsman 1 June 1920]

26 September 1920

Fatal Accident to Bowhill Girl - A girl named Kerr, who resided with her parents at Seventh Street, Bowhill, died in hospital from injuries sustained in the sawmill at Bowhill colliery on Saturday. The girl had been working about the sawmill shed, when she was caught by the revolving shafting and seriously injured about the head, face, and body. [Scotsman 28 September 1920]

NB Catherine Marshall Kerr age 14 died West Fife Hospital, Dunfermline

30 November 1920

Mine Accidents - Two serious accidents occurred in Fife on Tuesday morning, one of which proved fatal. A young miner named John Bain, residing with his father at the Town Hall, Lochgelly, was killed in the Nellie Pit, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, Ltd. He was pushing a hutch when part of the roof gave way and fell on his shoulders, throwing him over the edge of the hutch. Death was instantaneous. Deceased was 16 years of age. Another youth, named George Hodge, residing at Glencraig, was injured by the same fall. He was crushed about the head but was able to walk home.

In the course of brushing operations at Minto Pit, Lochgelly, a premature explosion occurred and two men, James Alexander and W. Marshalsey, were seriously injured. They had set a fuse for the purpose of blasting some material. In the belief that it had missed fire, they returned after an interval to the spot, when the shot went off suddenly. Alexander had several ribs broken and injuries to the head and legs, while Marshalsey suffered from severe body injuries. [Dunfermline Journal 4 December 1920]

20 August 1921

While employed at No 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery, David King, miner, who resides at Westfield, Bowhill, met with rather serious injuries. He was engaged at the face, and was taken unawares by a fall from the roof. His right leg was broken below the knee and his back injured. [Dunfermline Journal 20 August 1921]

6 September 1921

Accident At Bowhill - A bad accident befel John Adamson, who resides with his parents at West Cottages, Bowhill. While employed in No 1 Pit, Bowhill, a large stone fell from the roof, crushing him severely about the body. After being examined by the doctor he was removed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital. It is feared that his spine is affected. Adamson's father recently received injuries to his foot at the brickworks some months ago that necessitated amputation. [Dunfermline Journal 3 September 1921]

Young Miner's Death - John Adamson (25), a Bowhill miner, died in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on Tuesday as the result of injuries sustained by him at the colliery about a fortnight ago. [Dunfermline Journal 10 September 1921]

20 October 1921

Fatality At Lochgelly - Two Falls of Stone - A heavy fall of stone at a colliery belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company on Thursday, resulted in the death of a young married pit worker, and injuries to an engineer. The deceased man, Andrew Hunter, Cardenden, was the first to be struck down, and before anything could be done, another fall occurred. Hunter was dead when extricated, while Shepherd, the injured man was hurt about the leg, although not seriously. Deceased was the son of Baillie Hunter, Lochgelly, and well known in Masonic and Territorial circles. He leaves a widow and five children. [Dunfermline Journal 22 October 1921]

7 December 1921

On Wednesday morning shortly after starting work in No 1 Pit, Bowhill, David Orchison, miner, residing at Flockhouse, met with rather serious injuries to his back. Orchison had been engaged in lifting a loaded hutch on the rails when he slipped and injured his back. After being taken to the ambulance room and attended to by Dr Young, he was conveyed home by motor ambulance. [Dunfermline Journal 10 December 1921]

20 June 1923

Miner Killed At Cardenden – A miner was killed on Wednesday in the Lochgelly Coal Company’s Dundonald colliery at Cardenden. He was identified as Thomas Davidson, 25, a married man living at Denside, Cardenden. A large mass of stone fell from the roof and gave the deceased no chance of saving himself. [Dunfermline Journal 23 June 1923]

15 August 1923

Another Mining Fatality – Man Killed At Glencraig – Another mining fatality has taken place in West fife, the victim on this occasion being Joseph Murdoch, 37, who resided with his wife and family at 38 Glencraig. Murdoch who was employed in the Glencraig Colliery, had fired a shot in his working place. He had removed, and was in the act of supporting the roof when it gave way, killing him instantaneously. [Dunfermline Journal 18 August 1923]

22 December 1923

Accident At Bowhill - Robert Curran, machineman, Bowhill Colliery met with a rather serious accident last Saturday morning about the finish of his shift. Curran was working on the night shift, and while thus engaged a stone came away from the side which caught him, bruising his ribs and back. After being examined by Dr Walker he was conveyed to his residence at Lumphinnans by ambulance motor. [Dunfermline Journal 29 December 1923]

28 March 1924

Girl Injured at Lochgelly - A girl named Penman (16), a pithead worker, residing at Hunter Street , Lochgelly, was severely injured yesterday. Along with other girls, she was returning from work at the Minto pit, when a traction engine pulling a heavy waggon passed, and the girls jumped on the iron bar connecting the two vehicles. Penman lost her balance and fell in front of the waggon, which passed over her legs and also over her right arm. Her legs were crushed, and her arm broken in two places. She was removed to the West of Fife Hospital at Dunfermline. [Scotsman 29 March 1924]

18 April 1924

Accident In Nellie Pit - Charles Robertson, a well-known Cowdenbeath man in angling and footballing circles was the victim of a serious accident at the Nellie Pit, Lochgelly, last Friday. Robertson who is a contractor in the pit, was caught by a hutch on the wheel brae, from the result of which two of his legs were fractured and his left shoulder dislocated. After receiving attention he was conveyed home in the ambulance waggon. [Dunfermline Journal 19 April 1924]

22 April 1924

Brusher Killed At Kinglassie - Result of Explosion in Pit - Francis Farmer, residing at Bogie's Buildings, Kinglassie, was killed on Wednesday by the force of an explosion hurtling rock against him. Farmer, who was 36 years of age, had been engaged as a brusher at Kinglassie Colliery, and in order to ascertain what had gone wrong with a shot he went back, when he met his death. A few seasons ago, deceased was recognised as one of the most promising backs in Second League circles when playing for Cowdenbeath. He was a great favourite at Central Park, and but for an injury to his knee might have earned highest honours on the football field. He played for Bowhill Juniors last season and part of this. He leaves a widow and seven of a family to mourn his loss. [Dunfermline Journal 26 April 1924]

2 October 1924

Two Men Killed - Dundonald Pit Accident - Two miners lost their lives in Dundonald Colliery Cardenden, early on Thursday morning, being electrocuted while working a cutting machine. They were Andrew Greig (48) East Cottages, Bowhill, and Samuel Marshall (25) Dundonald Den. Both men were married, Greig leaving a widow and grown-up family, and Marshall a widow and two young children. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of the men are enveloped in mystery. Officials, mine inspectors, insurance agents and a number of workmen went down the mine to examine the position in the forenoon, but, on ascending, Mr Jas. Paul, refused to give any particulars of the affair. The men were engaged cutting coal with a machine when something went wrong with the driving power, causing an electric explosion at the machine end. It is supposed that a stone had fallen on the cable and caused the fusing. The men were speaking to the brushers shortly before they were found by Peter Malone, a Pole, who was engaged beside them securing the roof in front of them. [Dunfermline Journal 4 October 1924]

8 October 1924

Accident – On Wednesday, John Layden, miner, South Glencraig, had his head and face badly cut and bruised by an accident in the Nellie Pit. [Dunfermline Journal 11 October 1924]

27 December 1924

Bowhill – Accident at Colliery – While shifting waggons at the screening plant at Bowhill Colliery, Frank Maxwell had his right hand seriously injured. Maxwell was shifting his waggon a short distance and when stopping it with the catch in the usual way the accident happened. The little finger was cut right off and the forefinger so badly smashed that a portion had to be amputated. After being attended to at the colliery, he was conveyed to the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, and after the amputation operation he was conveyed home. [Dunfermline Journal 27 December 1924]

26 May 1925

Fatal Accident At Bowhill Colliery – A young lad named William Morrison, who resided with his parents at 17 Fifth Street, Bowhill, met his death at Bowhill No 2 Pit on Tuesday. He was employed in the morning, at the foot of a dook, acting as a hanger-on, when he got jammed by some hutches, and so severely bruised about the upper part of the body, especially about the neck, that it would appear that he had been asphyxiated. Dr Walker descended the pit and the polmotor was put in operation, but without success. No one was close by when the accident happened. Deceased was only about 16 years of age, but had been in the pit for a time. [Dunfermline Journal 30 May 1925]

6 June 1925

Funeral of Mr George Paterson – On Tuesday afternoon the remains of George Paterson, machineman, who lost his life when about finishing his shift in Dundonald Pit last Saturday night, were laid to rest in Bowhill Cemetery. The funeral was largely attended by his friends and fellow workmen. Deceased was a member of the Bands Committee, and to show their respect boith Pipe and Brass Bands turned out and headed the funeral procession from the house to the cemetery. [Dunfermline Journal 13 June 1925]

5 January 1926

Mineworker Injured – An Alarming accident happened at the Brighill Colliery on Tuesday as the result of which Mr Ben Flannigan (33), 110 Auchterderran Road, is confined to his bed in a critical condition. The injured man was employed on the surface at the “fire holes” His work was to remove the dross from the waggons in the holes. On Tuesday he was cleaning the rails after having emptied one of the waggons, when, unseen by him, the engine approached and knocked him over. His back was thought at first to be broken but on examination it was found to be only severely bruised. His chest was also injured through his being thrown on some projecting girders. [Dunfermline Journal 9 January 1926]

9 December 1926

Lochgelly – Miner Killed – On Thursday last week at the Nellie Pit, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co., Alexander Davie, an inspector was killed. A hutch coming down the wheel brae and gathering great speed, struck Davie and killed him instantaneously. Deceased who resided at Launcherhead, leaves a widow and five children. [Dunfermline Journal 18 December 1926]

Breaches of Pit Rules - One of the seven fatal accidents inquired into before Sheriff Umpherston and a jury at Dunfermline yesterday was that concerning Alexander Davie, underground foreman, lately residing at 10 Stationhead road, Lochgelly, who died from injuries received by being struck by a runaway loaded hutch in a wheelbrae in the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company's Nellie pit. It was stated by the colliery manager that it was the duty of the man in charge at the top of the brae to see that the hutches were properly coupled before he drew the safety blocks of which there were two, and that there had been a bit of forgetfulness on the part of this man with regard to the coupling of the hutches. By the direction of the Sheriff, the jury added to a formal verdict an expression of opinion that the accident was due to breaches of the working rules in respect that (1) deceased was going down the brae without any signal having been given to and returned from the bottom of the brae; (2) the first of the two hutches was pushed forward past the first safety block without the hutches having been coupled ; (3) the hutches were pushed forward without the second safety block being in close position, and (4) the hutches were pushed forward with both blocks open without a signal having been received from the bottom of the brae. It was perfectly clear, his Lordship observed that these were all breaches of the working rules of the pit and that it was owing to these breaches of the rules that the accident happened. [Scotsman 21 January 1927]

16 May 1927

John Bain, surface worker, dropped down dead at the pithead of the Nellie pit, Lochgelly, at noon yesterday. He had just resumed work after being idle since the beginning of the miners' strike. Deceased was over sixty years of age, and was a sergeant in the old Fife Volunteer and Territorial Force. [Scotsman 17 May 1927]

6 July 1927

Compensation Claim Against Coal Company Fails - In the Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday, Sheriff Umpherston issued an interlocutor deciding in favour of respondents an action under the Workmen's Compensation Act at the instance of Miss Margaret Devine, 79 High Street, Carluke , Lanarkshire, sister; and Margaret Devine, also residing there, a minor daughter of the late James Devine, miner, who resided at 42 South Street, Lochgelly, against the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company (Ltd.). Claimants sought payment of £363 in respect of the death of James Devine, who was injured by accident in course of his employment with respondents at their Dundonald colliery on 8th June 1927, and died on 6th July 1927. The Sheriff finds that the claimants have failed to prove that Devine's death resulted from his injury by accident, and that the respondents are not liable to pay compensation to the claimants. In a note, his Lordship says that Devine' s injuries, though painful at the time, were not serious. The perplexing thing was that, in these circumstances, he was entirely confined to bed for about a week, and died suddenly and unexpectedly when his physician thought he was recovering. After consultation with the Medical Assessor, his Lordship states that he has come to the conclusion that the cause of death was heart failure. [Scotsman 26 May 1928]

19 September 1927

Accident in the Pit – John Sanaghan, miner, Front Row, Cardenden, and employed in No 1 Pit, Bowhill Collieries, was severely injured on Monday afternoon. The injuries were caused by a runaway hutch, and the unfortunate man was badly cut about the forehead and bruised about the body. Receiving medical attention at the pithead, he was afterwards conveyed to his home. After being further examined he was removed to Kirkcaldy Hospital. [Dunfermline Journal 24 September 1927]

23 September 1927

Lochgelly Miner Killed – Edward Docherty, a miner, residing at Minto Street, Lochgelly, was killed in Glencraig Colliery, yesterday morning. He had been engaged with another man named Mahon in drawing steel props on a machine-cut face with a prop drawer and had only 5 to draw to complete the job when a stone swung and fell on Docherty. His neck was broken and death was instantaneous. [Dunfermline Journal 24 September 1927]

12 December 1927

Fatal Accident At Lochgelly – William Cowie, miner, 62, 23 Melville Street, Lochgelly, died in the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on Monday from the results of an accident sustained in the Mary Pit, Lochgelly. Deceased was working in the pan run of the Little Splint section of the pit, and his arm became entangled in the machinery and torn off [Dunfermline Journal 17 December 1927]

3 March 1928

Sequel To Colliery Accident - Cardenden Man Succumbs in Hospital - Andrew Winton (48), Jamphlars, Cardenden, died about 11 o'clock last Saturday night in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital as a result of injuries sustained recently in a colliery accident. The deceased man's skull was badly smashed, and the doctors held out little hope from the beginning. [Dunfermline Journal 10 March 1928]

27 July 1928

Bowhill – Accident – A rather serious accident occurred last Friday forenoon in No 1 Pit, Bowhill Colliery. While in the act of endeavouring to prevent further damage being done to a dook haulage road, Thomas Taylor, 32 Eighteenth Street, was caught and severely crushed between the return carriage and a girder. Taylor was employed on the haulage road and a hutch becoming jammed caused and undue strain on the rope, and thereby moved the carriage. He received serious internal injury, and his condition necessitated his immediate removal to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital. [Dunfermline Journal 4 August 1928]

29 July 1928

Cardenden - Miner's Death - George Cowan, miner, 27 Woodend Place, Cardenden, died in the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on Sunday as a result of injuries sustained (a fractured spine) about eleven months ago in an accident while at work in one of the Fife Coal Company's collieries. [Dunfermline Journal 4 August 1928]

2 August 1928

Lochgelly Miner Killed - Robert Smith, a young man working underground at Minto Colliery, between Cardenden and Lochgelly, was caught by a rake of hutches and so severely crushed that death was instantaneous. He resided in New Minto Street, Lochgelly, and leaves a widow and two of a family. [Dunfermline Journal 11 August 1928]

20 August 1928

Boy Jammed Between Hutches – A 14 year old boy, William Ramsay, 14 Melville Street, Lochgelly, was on Monday killed at his work in Jenny Gray Pit, Lochgelly, by being jammed between two hutches. Deceased was employed as a drawer in the Glassee Seam of the Colliery. [Dunfermline Journal 25 August 1928]

20 August 1928

Mr Robert Doig, underground fireman, 47 years of age, Fifteenth Street, Bowhill, was found dead on Monday in the section he was in charge of, namely the Duddy Seam, No 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery. He had been left on duty alone, his business being to attend to a pump and make a round of inspection for the working of a shift of men coming on. It was his non-appearance to give his inspection report that caused the waiting men to fear that something was seriously wrong. Upon investigation the searchers were stopped at a certain part by a gathering of gas. King and Lamb, two fireman, forging ahead saw an electric light burning. One of the fireman made a dash and found the body lying on the pavement. With assistance the body was dragged out. Despite the various methods tried to revive him, Doig was found to be beyond aid. [Dunfermline Journal 25 August 1928]

27 August 1928

Miner's Premonition – Lochgelly Man's Tragic End - A sad occurrence took place in Minto Colliery, Lochgelly, on Monday night. Owen Bonnar, who resided at High Street, Lochgelly, died with tragic suddenness after working his first shift. He had been unemployed for two years, and had just restarted work. Before going to his work he expressed a fear to his wife that something was going to happen. [Dunfermline Journal 1 September 1928]

27 August 1928

A Bowhill Tragedy – Redd Bing Collapses - Two Farm Workers Killed - The old redd bing at Bowhill Colliery, belonging to the Fife Coal Company, was the scene of a double fatality on Monday afternoon. Two young farm workers while engaged in filling material into carts, were overwhelmed by a heavy fall from the ledge above. They were extricated with all possible speed, but death had apparently been instantaneous. The victims were:- Lewis Lawson, 15 years of age , in the employment of his uncle, Mr George McGregor, Murrayknowes Farm; and David Fleming, 20 years of age, employed by Mrs Inglis, Redhouse. They were working opposite the steading at Wellsgreen Farm, also belonging to the Fife Coal Company. The bing had been burned out several years ago, and the men were engaged in digging out underground refuse, which is used for roadmaking, many farmers in the district finding it suitable for this purpose. The spot where they were working was similar to a quarry. Suddenly the rocky mass above, weighing several tons, crashed down upon them. Willing helpers were soon on the scene and digging with spades had the victims extricated in a comparatively short space of time. At the time of the accident the men were practically finished their tasks, their carts being almost filled. One of the farm carts was badly smashed on one side, but the horses were unhurt. Lawson's father was killed a few years ago in a pit accident, and his widowed mother resides with her father, Mr Alex Herd, Woodbank Cottage. Fleming's parents reside in Dundonald. Mr James Payne, Muir's Buildings, and Mr John Clark, district mines agent for the Fife Coal Company, were among the first on the scene. Mr Payne had previously been watching the men at their work. When some distance from the spot he met Mr Clark. “I was speaking to him with my back to the scene of the accident,” he said, “when Mr Clark suddenly exclaimed that the two men were buried by debris. We both ran to the scene. The horses were standing, but one of the carts was nearly buried.” Mr Clark said that the men had apparently seen the danger coming upon them, but had not been able to avoid it. He saw the mass coming down, and the men making what appeared to be a spasmodic scramble, but it was too late. Mrs Hastie, who lives at Wellsgreen Farm opposite, was working inside the house when she heard her husband, who is a miner, crying for her boy to come quick. Her husband and she rushed out, and when she went over her husband was trying to pull the cart out. A crowd of people gathered in a twinkling, and she ran for spades. Mr Andrew Hutt, the well known first aid exponent, and Dr Brackenbridge, were soon in attendance. The occurrence cast a gloom over the district, and the scene of the tragedy was visited by many people during the evening. [Dunfermline Journal 1 September 1928]

Lewis Lawson's father, Robert died 30 October 1917

6 October 1928

Miner Seriously Injured - Robert Kirk, 40 years of age, unmarried, and residing with his parents at Cluny, Cardenden, met with serious injuries while engaged in the “Five Feet” seam at Bowhill Colliery. A sudden outburst of coal caught him, and it was with difficulty that he was got out from under the fall, as during rescue operations the roof threatened to collapse. The unfortunate man, suffering from head and body injuries, was removed by ambulance to Kirkcaldy Hospital. [Dunfermline Journal 6 October 1928]

4 November 1928

A Fatal Pick Injury - Consideration was given by the court [FAI at Dunfermline Sheriff Court] to the circumstances attending the death of William Keir, miner, 32 Eleventh Street, Bowhill, who died on 4 November 1928 at Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital from septicaemia resulting from an injury to his left leg received on October 1 in the course of his employment in No 2 Pit of Bowhill Colliery. John Forsyth, miner, Twelfth Street, Bowhill, explained that one day when he was working along with Keir, he sustained a pick injury to his leg. Keir told him that he thought the pick had injured the bone. Deceased, however, continued in his work for three days, but the wound became so painful he had to knock off. John Keir, 32 Eleventh Street, Bowhill, father of the deceased man, said that when his son came home on 1st October 1928, he said he had got a jag on the leg with a pick. The wound was just below the knee. It did not look very bad at the timee, but it got very painful, and after three days his son had to stay at home from his work. He called the doctor, and was ultimately sent to the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital. His leg was amputated on 1st November, and he died on 4th November from blood poisoning. The jury returned a formal verdict. [Dunfermline Journal 2 February 1929]

26 October 1929

Fatal Roof Fall - The jury then enquired into the circumstances attending the death of George Seath, miner, Bella Cottages, Station Road, Cardenden, at his dwelling-house, on 26th October, from the result of an accident which happened to him on 14th October in his working place in the Lady Helen Pit, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, in the course of his employment there. [Dunfermline Journal 21 December 1929]

30 October 1929

Fife Pit Fatality - An accident, which resulted in the death of an unmarried Lochgelly man, occurred at Minto colliery, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co. (Ltd.), yesterday. The victim of the accident, George Galloway, who resided at Hugh Street, Lochgelly, was following his occupation as a hanger-on in the colliery when he was caught by a race of hutches, and so severely crushed that he died on his way to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital. Galloway was well known in Masonic, bowling, and piping circles, and as Pipe-Sergeant of the Fife Territorials (Black Watch) took part in the Tattoo at Dreghorn Castle [Scotsman 31 October 1929]

Killed By Runaway Hutches - The last enquiry concerned the death of George Galloway, miner, 4 High Street, Lochgelly, who died on 30th October in an ambulance between Crossgates and Dunfermline, from injuries sustained by him that day in No 1 Pit, Minto Colliery, belonging to Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, caused by him being crushed by runaway hutches. A formal verdict was returned. [Dunfermline Journal 21 December 1929]

7 November 1929

Accident At Bowhill Pit - Mr George Dewar, 24 Seventeenth Street, was severely crushed by a fall of coal last Thursday evening. Dewar was employed in No 2 Pit, Bowhill, and after receiving medical attention at the pithead he was conveyed to his home. [Dunfermline Journal 9 November 1929]

30 March 1930

Death of Lochgelly Miner - The death took place last Sunday night of John Cook, 59 Grainger Street, Lochgelly, who was injured in the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company's Jenny Gray pit on Friday evening. Deceased, who was a repairer in the Fourteen Feet section, sustained a fractured spine at the base of the neck by being hit by a falling stone. He was conveyed home and attended to by Dr Dickson. He was 49 years of age and leaves a widow and family. [Dunfermline Journal 5 April 1930]

Lochgelly Miner Crushed - The third case inquired into [at a FAI at Dunfermline Sheriff Court] was that of John Cook, coal miner, 96 Grainger Street, Lochgelly, who died in 30th March in his dwelling-house from injuries sustained by him on 28th March in the Jenny Gray Colliery of the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, during the course of his employment as an oncost worker there, by a fall from the side of his working place. Alexander Ronald, 320 Perth Road, Cowdenbeath, employed as a coal-cutting machineman in the pit, said he was working along with Cook when he met with his accident. When witness was putting up a pit prop he heard a shout from Cook. On looking round he discovered that a large piece of coal had burst out from the coal face and caught Cook on the shoulder. They had no warning that the coal was about to fall. A formal verdict was returned. [Dunfermline Journal 31 May 1930]

27 May 1930

Miner Killed By A Fall - Thomas Maton, 17 Mid Street, Lochgelly, was killed in a mining accident in Minto Colliery, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, yesterday. Ho was pinned beneath a fall of coal, and death was instantaneous. Deceased was 37 , married and had four children. He was a son-in-law of Baillie Motion, Lochgelly. [Scotsman 28 May 1930]

Lochgelly Miner Killed - Crushed by Fall of Rock - While engaged at work in the 14 feet section of No 1 Pit Minto Colliery, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, Thomas Maton, miner, residing at Mid Street, Lochgelly, was fatally injured by a fall of rock from the roof of his working place which occurred about [illegible] on Tuesday morning. Deceased, who was a son-in-law of Baillie Motion, Lochgelly, leaves a wife and four of a family. [Dunfermline Journal 31 May 1930]

4 July 1930

One of the fatal accidents inquiries held in Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday was with regard to the death of Archibald Connor, coal-cutting machineman, lately residing at 39 Melville Street, Lochgelly, who died on July 4 in No. 1 pit, Minto Colliery, of the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co. (Ltd.), as the result of an electric shock. Connor was found lying dead beside a gate-end box through which electric cable passed to a coal-cutting machine. The lid of the box was open, and Connor's hand was inside, resting on the fuse holders . The handle of the box was in the "off" position, which meant that it should have been possible to open the box and handle the fuses without danger. Witnesses stated that, after the accident, defects were discovered in the interlocking arrangements of the box, the result being that, while the handle was in the "off" position, connection was established inside. The jury, on the suggestion of Sheriff Umpherston, added to their formal verdict a rider to the effect that they were of opinion that the gate-end box, at which Connor was working when he was electrocuted, was in a dangerously defective condition owing to excessive play between the clutch on the switch handle and the clutch with which it engaged, also owing to the handle being insecurely fixed and other defects. [Scotsman 19 July 1930]

27 April 1931

Fife Pit Mishap - An accident, involving thirty-six miners, took place yesterday at Minto Colliery, midway between Lochgelly and Bowhill. Four of the more seriously injured, Alex. M'Lean, Hunter Street, Lochgelly; Wm, Sutherland, Melville Street Lochgelly; Thomas Westwater, South Street, Lochgelly; and George Henderson, Dundonald Park, Cardenden, are now in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital. The accident happened in a decline known as the Pitcairn Dook between five and six o'clock, when the day-shift workers were going on duty. The men employed in a part of the pit a considerable distance from the landing stage at the pit bottom, are transported to the coal face in trains of trucks, and it was while one of these trains was moving rapidly down the decline that the accident occurred. The train left the rails, and as the trucks capsized men were tossed in all directions. Some were pitched against the roof, others were thrown violently against the walls, while several became jammed among the wreckage and pinned under the upturned trucks. Nearly all the men were rendered unconscious. Those who were less seriously injured and those who had escaped, rushed for help, and in a short time a large rescue party was at work removing the injured from the wreckage. Medical men from the surrounding districts were also on the scene early, and ambulances convoyed the injured to their homes and to the hospital. The pit was completely idle during the remainder of the day. It belongs to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company (Ltd.) [Scotsman 28 April 1931]

Lochgelly Pit Accident - Runaway Bogies - An accident to a train of bogies in which 36 men were involved, took place in Minto Colliery near Lochgelly, early on Monday morning. When the men were starting work for the day, the party were being conveyed in bogies specially used for the purpose down a long decline known as Pitcairn Dook, when it became apparent that something was wrong and the cry “Hold tight boys!” arose. Gathering impetus, the train of bogies dashed on and finally overturned. The men were flung in all directions, and nearly all were rendered unconscious. Those who escaped injury sent out the call for help, and a rescue party was soon at work. On the arrival of medical aid it was found necessary to have four of the injured conveyed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, while the others, whose injuries were of a less serious nature, were taken to their homes. Those taken to hospital were:- Thomas Westwater, 93 South Street, Lochgelly; William Sutherland, 22 Melville Street, Lochgelly; Alex. M'Lean, 2a Hunter Street, Lochgelly; and George Henderson, 2 Dundonald Park, Cardenden. [Dunfermline Journal 2 May 1931]

9 May 1931

Crushed Between Hutches - David Fernie (31), residing at Lilybank and employed at Lady Helen Collieries, had the misfortune to sustain serious injury while at work. He was caught between two hutches and badly crushed, causing severe internal injuries. After being attended to at the pit he was later transferred to Kirkcaldy Hospital in a very critical condition. [Dunfermline Journal 9 May 1931]

14 May 1931

Death of Lochgelly Man - The next case inquired into [at FAI] was that of Patrick Wheelan, miner, 161 Station Road, Lochgelly, who died on 14th May in West Fife Hospital, Dunfermline, from the result of injuries he received on 30th March in the No 2 Pit, Glencraig, belonging to the Wilsons & Clyde Coal Co., during the course of his industrial employment as a miner there being struck by a stone which fell from the roof, Alexander Clark, colliery manager, Denny, said that when he heard of Whelan's accident he went down the pit and found a stone weighing 2 1/2 cwt had fallen. Whelan was a good experienced miner. The coal Whelan was taking away might have released the stone. J Forrest, Prospect Place, Lochgelly, said he was Whelan's driver. On the day of the accident Whelan was working at the face with a pick. Witness had his back to him and heard a call, “Oh Jock” He turned round and found a large stone had fallen on Whelan, who was unable to move, and this pointed to injuries to the spine. The jury returned a formal verdict. [Dunfermline Journal 13 June 1931]

11 November 1931

Mr William Gray, 55, manager of Dundonald Colliery, Bowhill was struck by a runaway hutch and killed instantly while on a tour of inspection of the colliery. The accident occurred in a haulage road. Mr Gray was a native of Carfin, Lanarkshire but came to the district about 25 years ago as an official of the Lochgelly Iron & Coal Co, Ltd. Previous to taking up his appointment at Dundnald a short time ago, he was manager at Newton Colliery, Lochgelly and Raith Colliery, Cowdenbeath. Mr Gray is survived by a widow and family.

14 May 1932

FATAL ACCIDENTS IN FIFE - Inquiry Before Sheriff at Dunfermline - A Kirkcaldy seaman's death drowning at Rosyth and a Lochgelly pit fatality were subjects of inquiries conducted Sheriff Umpherston and a jury at Dunfermline Sheriff Court to-day. ………….
Mining Fatality. - The other inquiry was with regard to the death of Campbell Nicol Dyer, miner, 186 South Street, Lochgelly, who was killed by a fall of stone from the roof of No 1 Pit Minto Colliery on May 14. John Crawford Dick, miner, 17 White Street, Lochgelly, said he was working in the same place as Dyer. Something attracted his attention and he saw Dyer underneath a large stone which had come away from the roof. He was dead when witness got him out. John Wallace, colliery fireman, 36 Park Street. Lochgelly, said he inspected the place half an hour before the accident and saw nothing wrong. The props were set at regulation distance. Walter Black, manager, Minto Colliery, said it was an accident for which no one could be blamed. Dyer was well within his propping distance. A formal verdict was returned. [Evening Telegraph 16 June 1932]

7 September 1932

Pit Fatalities In Fife - Dunfermline Court Inquiry - Four Mining Accidents - Four pit fatalities in West Fife were the subject of inquiries before Sheriff Umpherston at Dunfermline to-day.
A formal verdict was returned at the conclusion of this inquiry [Joseph Sharp Morton] and also at the conclusion of that into the death of John Birrell, colliery overman, Craigwood Cottage, Woodend, Cardenden, who died at Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on 7th September from injuries received on 3rd September in No. 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery. Birrell, it was stated by a witness, was looking at a dubious stone in the roof when it came away and struck some steel props, one of which struck Birrell a blow on the back. The witness, John Reid, underground fireman, 5 Sixteenth Street, Bowhill, said the stone came away very suddenly. [Evening Telegraph 20 October 1932]

14 November 1932

A young Lochgelly miner, Robert Neilson, who resided at 10 Garry Street, was the victim of a fatal mining accident yesterday afternoon at Lumphinnans No. XI. colliery, Cowdenbeath. Neilson, who was employed as a drawer in the Lochgelly splint section of the pit, was jammed between hutches and the side of the roadway, sustaining terrible injuries. He was removed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital with all speed, and succumbed five minutes after admission. Deceased was 26 years of age, and unmarried. [Scotsman 15 November 1932]

29 November 1932

LOCHGELLY MINE FATALITY - FIREMAN KILLED BY FALL FROM ROOF - David Beveridge, aged about 50 years, Auchterderran Road, Lochgelly a fireman, employed at the Minto Colliery, near Lochgelly, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, was the victim of accident at the colliery this morning. He was inspecting in the five-foot seam when he was killed by a fall from roof. [Evening Telegraph 29 November 1932]

23 August 1934

Fife Engineer - James Murray aged 22, son of Mr and Mrs David Murray, Dundonald Park, Cardenden. died in Kirkcaldy Hospital yesterday, a transfusion of blood given by his mother having failed to save him. Murray, an electrical engineer, was employed in Brighills Colliery, Cardenden. . He was struck by a race of hutches on Wednesday, and removed to Kirkcaldy Hospital. It was found that an operation was necessary, and the doctors agreed that the only hope of recovery lay in a blood transfusion. They immediately communicated with his mother, who offered her blood, and dashed by car to Kirkcaldy. The operation was performed, but Murray died early yesterday. [Scotsman 24 August 1934]

17 January 1935

Three men were at work in Minto Colliery Lochgelly yesterday, when the ground surged up and crushed them against the roof of the workings. John McMahon of Kinglassie was crushed to death but the others escaped with slight injuries. It is believed that the pressure of the pillars which supported the roof was so intense as to cause the upheaval of the ground. [Scotsman Jan 18 1935]

Surging Up of Pit Floor - Inquiry into Fife Fatality – An Unusual Accident - A pit fatality, in which a miner lost his life as the result of the pavement or floor of his working-place surging up and crushing him against the roof, was the subject of an inquiry in Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday . The victim was John M'Mahon, miner, Braehead, Kinglassie, and the accident happened on January 17 in the underground workings of No. 1 Pit, Minto Colliery, of the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company (Ltd.). 

One of the men who were injured in the accident, John Kinnell, 4a Hunter Street, Lochgelly, said that at about one o'clock in the morning he heard a sort of bump, like a shot from a gun. A lot of coal came about him putting out his light and he was injured. When lights were obtained it was found that M'Mahon and another man named Hunter had been caught by the pavement surging up to the roof. Hunter was extricated alive, but M'Mahon was dead when he was taken out. Witness said he had never experienced a similar happening before. 

George Lamond, underground fireman, Woodend, Cardenden, said he was just approaching the place when he heard a burst of coal coming from the roof, and all the naked lights went out in front of him. The surging up of the pavement was a very unusual thing. He had only once seen it before, and that was in the same section about a fortnight previously. On that occasion the surge was not nearly so heavy, and the pavement did not rise so much. Precautions were taken, and he had not anticipated a recurrence of the trouble. There was abundant timber and the props were in at the proper distances. 

Walter Black, manager of the Minto Colliery referring to the previous incident mentioned by Lamond, said that the matter was taken up with the Divisional Inspector of Mines. Certain suggestions were made which they were in course of carrying out at the time of the fatal accident but these had not had sufficient time to bear fruit It was a thing that nobody could have foreseen. The jury returned a formal verdict. Sheriff Umpherston remarking that it seemed to have been a unique kind of accident. [Scotsman 15 February 1935]

5 October 1935

Fife Pit Fatality Inquiry - Men who Ignored Danger Warning - Several miners who had ignored a warning against travelling on a haulage road when the haulage was in motion appeared as witnesses in Dunfermline Sheriff Court yesterday in an inquiry into the death of Alexander Pratt, aged 18, coal miner, Newton Cottages, Balgreggie Road, Cardenden. Pratt died on October 5 in the Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, as a result of injuries received that day in the haulage road in Hutt's Dook, No. 1 pit, Bowhill colliery caused by his being struck by part of the haulage, which was then in motion. 

George Tullis, 17 Tenth Street, Bowhill, the clipper employed at the foot of the dook said that after he had sent away the last full hutch; Pratt and his father and other four men started to walk up the road. It was illegal for men to travel on. the road when the haulage was in motion, and he warned them not to do so. He was away for about two minutes attending to other duties, and when he came back he found that the men had gone up the road.

Hugh Conway, 4 Double Black, Cardenden, the clipper employed, at the top of the dook said he saw the haulage rope bobbing up and down, and then heard the noise of a hutch going over on its side. He called out. "Is everybody clear?" and got no answer but he heard someone moaning. On going down the dook to investigate he found a hutch lying on its side and Pratt lying injured on the line on which the hutch had beer coming up. 

Philip Pratt, father of the deceased, said that the overman who was sitting in a man-hole told him and his companions that they should not be travelling on the dook when the haulage was in motion, and that they were running a great risk.

The Procurator-Fiscal (Mr B. J. Waugh) who conducted the inquiry, mentioned that every one of Pratt's companions had pleaded guilty to a contravention of the Coal Mines Act and had been each fined £2. 

The jury returned:a formal verdict, and found that the accident was due to Pratt and the other men travelling the dook when the haulage was in motion, contrary to the Coal Mines Act regulations. [Scotsman 25 October 1935]

25 November 1935

Pithead Fatality - Machinery Control Method – Criticism At Fife Inquiry - A system of dual control of pithead machinery was criticised at an inquiry at Dunfermline yesterday into the death of John Finnie Blyth Izatt, colliery screening plant attendant, 2 Bottom West Cottages, Bowhill, who died on November 25 at the screening plant at Bowhill colliery, of the Fife Coal Company (Ltd.), from injuries caused by his being crushed by one of the tippers when he was repairing it. 

It was explained in evidence that the tipper was a large drum in which hutches of coal were rotated. The machine could be actuated by a worker at the screening tables and also by the waggon trimmers underneath. The tipper had been stopped by a pithead worker to allow Izatt to make a small repair, and after he had entered the tipper it was again set in motion by the other control, and Izatt was fatally injured. 

John Clark the manager of the colliery, stated that there had been no accidents previously owing to the dual operation of the controls. He said that if the tipper had been left in the normal position it would have remained stationary all the time supposing either of the controls had started. He thought Izatt made an error of judgement in the way he went about the job. Mr Robert Shirkie of the Scottish colliery Engine and Boilermen's Association, who appeared for the representatives of the deceased asked the jury to find that the system of independent dual control was not safe. 

Sheriff-Substitute Umpherston, asking the jury whether they desired to add anything to their formal verdict, said that Mr Shirkie had suggested that they should condemn the system of working at the place. His Lordship did not think it would be necessary to go so far as that, but the jury might say that they were of opinion that the system by which the tippers could be started or stopped by two people at different places independently of each other, and without the one being cognisant of what the other was doing, was prima facie unsatisfactory. The jury acquiesced in his Lordship's suggestion. [Scotsman 20 December 1935]

7 July 1936

Two serious mining accidents occurred in Bowhill Pits yesterday. Thomas M'Gregor, miner, 67 Woodend Park, Cardenden, employed in Bowhill colliery, met with an accident in the morning. He sustained injuries which necessitated his removal to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, where he lies in a critical condition. James Murphy, colliery fireman, 15 Dundonald Crescent, Cardenden, sustained a fractured leg in an accident which occurred in Lady Helen colliery Dundonald, After receiving medical attention, lie was removed to Kirkcaldy Hospital. [Scotsman 8 July 1936]

21 January 1937

Fatal Accident In A Lochgelly Colliery - A Lumphinnans miner, Robert Virtue (27), of 1 Beveridge Place, was fatally injured while at work in the Nellie Colliery, Lochgelly, yesterday forenoon. He was working at the face of a stone mine, when a stone came off the side of the workings and struck him, inflicting injuries which proved fatal. Virtue was a married man. [Scotsman 22 January 1937]

20 January 1938

James Fairley, aged about 40, 55A Melville Street, Lochgelly, was killed, and Charles Paxton aged 20, Minto Cottages, Brighills, Lochgelly, sustained minor injuries, when they were buried by a fall yesterday in the Minto Colliery, Lochgelly, of the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co., Ltd. They were working together in the Diamond Section of No. 1 Pit when the roof gave way. Workmates succeeded in rescuing Paxton alive, but Fairley was dead. Paxton suffered from bruises, but was able to walk home. Fairley, who returned from the United States a year ago, is survived by a widow and family of two. He was at one time a well known footballer, and played for Lochgelly United when they were in the Second Division [Scotsman 21 Jan 1938]

24 April 1938

Roland Holmes (32), an engineer, who resided at 121 Main Street, Lumphinnans, lost his life in an accident which took place yesterday, in the Minto Colliery, Lochgelly, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co. Three other men working in the same section had narrow escapes. Holmes was engaged with his colleagues transporting machinery when he was caught by a heavy fall of stone. He is survived by his wife, and one child. [Scotsman 25 April 1938]

30 August 1938

James Hunter, miner, Thistleford Cottage, Thistle Street, Cowdenbeath, died in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital last night as the result of an accident in the Minto Colliery, Lochgelly, yesterday morning, when he was struck by a fall of stone. He is survived by a widow and three children. [Scotsman 31 August 1938]

Miner Fatally Injured In Saving Workmate - The funeral took place at Cowdenbeath yesterday of James Hunter (36), Thistleford Cottage, Cowdenbeath, who died in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital as a result of an accident in Minto Colliery, Bowhill. One of the principal mourners was Alexander M'Lean (31), 35 Melville Street, Lochgelly ; who stated that Hunter had died in saving him. He and Hunter were at work in the pit on Wednesday last, he said, when he was suddenly thrown to the one side and almost immediately struck on the side. When he recovered it was to find two other workmates trying to get a huge stone from the top of Hunter, who had jumped into danger and thrown M'Lean clear. Four months ago Hunter saved M'Lean's life in a similar way. Hunter leaves a widow and young family. [Scotsman 5 September 1938]

7 March 1939

Fatal Pithead Accident - A 75-year-old Lochgelly pithead worker, Alex. Cook; 110 Auchterderran Road, was killed in a pithead accident at the Minto Colliery, Lochgelly, yesterday. He was employed as a greaser and the accident happened in connection with the winding machinery. Cook was found dead under the winding drum. [Scotsman 8 March 1939]

21 March 1939

Fife Pit Tragedy - An accident in No. 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery, yesterday, resulted in the death of James Addison, 39 Foulford Street, Cowdenbeath, and serious injury to Thomas Malcolm, 3 Balgreggie Park, Cardenden. They were carrying a conveyer pan when the pan slipped and cut through the live electric cable. The men received an electric shock, Addison being killed immediately. Malcolm, after receiving medical attention, was removed to Kirkcaldy Hospital. [Scotsman 22 March 1939]

22 April 1939

Fife Pit Tragedy - A miner, Henry penman (30), c/o Baxter, 129 Whitton Place, Lochgelly, died in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital on Saturday , following an accident which occurred in the Nellie Colliery, Lochgelly, on Saturday morning. He was caught by a large stone which fell and severely crushed him. He died shortly after admission to hospital. [Scotsman 24 April 1939]

10 August 1939

Thomas Wilson of North St and Andrew Neilson of Hunter St, Lochgelly, Fife were fatally injured in Minto Colliery, Lochgelly last night by a runaway hutch. James Kerr of Cardenden was removed to hospital in a critical condition. Another man escaped with slight injuries. [Scotsman August 11 1939]

Pit Fatality - Two Fife Men Killed - Workmate Injured – Haulage Rope Breaks - Two men were killed and another seriously injured in a haulage accident which occurred last night at the Minto Colliery, Lochgelly owned by Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co., Ltd. The dead men are Andrew Neilson, Hunter Street, Lochgelly, and Thomas Wilson, North Street, Lochgelly. The injured man, James Kerr, Lochore, formerly of Jamphlars, was taken in a critical condition to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital. The men had been working in the five-foot section of the pit in No. 1 dook, it appears, and the accident occurred while they were travelling up the dook after finishing their work. They were near the top, at No. 2 manhole, when the haulage rope broke, and about 60 loaded hutches raced downhill and crashed into them. Neilson and Wilson were killed instantaneously, and Kerr received multiple injuries. Two other men who were in the dook at the time, William Dickson, 8 Thirteenth Street, Bowhill, and a workmate named T. Miller had a narrow escape. Dickson managed to jump clear into a manhole, and pulled Miller in beside him in the nick of time, his presence of mind saving the latter's life. Mrs Wilson, the wife of one of the dead men is a sister of Mrs William Scott, Landale Street, Lochgelly, whose husband was killed in the same part of the pit only a few months ago. As a result of the accident, the pit was idle last night as a mark of sympathy, and will be idle again to-day. [Scotsman 11 August 1939]

Fife Pit Accident – Third Death - A third death has occurred as a result of the haulage accident in the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company's Minto Colliery, Lochgelly, on Thursday night. Two of the men, Andrew Neilson, Hunter Street, Lochgelly, and Thomas Wilson, North Street, Lochgelly were killed instantaneously. A third man, James Kerr, Waverley Street, Lochore, who received multiple injuries and was conveyed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital, died at nine o'clock last night. [Scotsman 12 August 1939]

9 January 1940

Lochgelly Miner’s Death - A well-known Fife bowler and quoiter, William Suttie, 2 Melville Street, Lochgelly, was found dead yesterday in No. 1 pit, Minto Colliery, Lochgelly, belonging to the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Co.. Ltd. Suttie was a shot firer. He had placed a shot in the mine, and the miners in the vicinity had retired in one direction, while he had gone in the other. After the shot had been fired the miners could not see Suttie, and after a search they found him lying dead. He was 52 years of age, and belonged to a family connected with Lochgelly coalmining for generations. He was a keen quoiter, and was also a prominent member of Lochgelly Bowling Club. Suttie is survived by a widow and a family of two. [Scotsman 10 January 1940]

15 February 1940

Formal verdicts were also returned in the following cases:- James Murphy, coal miner, 32 Eighteenth Street, Bowhill, who died on February 15 in Kirkcaldy Hospital from injuries received on. February 13 in the underground workings No. 2 Pit, Bowhill Colliery, caused the framework a haulage-wheel falling on him. [Evening Telegraph 23 May 1940]

10 April 1940

A similar verdict [formal] was returned in an inquiry into the death of David Brown, coal miner, 12 Square, Cardenden. Brown died on April 10 in Kirkcaldy Hospital from toxaemia, cardiac failure and tetanus infection, resulting from a wound to his left hand sustained on March 22 during his occupation in the underground working Bowhill Colliery. [Evening Telegraph 23 May 1940]

25 July 1940

Miner Killed at Work - A miner was killed Bowhill Colliery, Cardenden, early to-day. He was John Mitchell (35), 6 Carden Crescent, Cardenden. While at work in the Diamond Section of No. 2 Pit, a stone fell from the roof, killing him instantly. He leaves a wife and three children. [Evening Telegraph 25 July 1940]

26 July 1940

FIFE MINER KILLED - A fatal accident occurred in the Brigghills Colliery, near Cardenden, the victim being Andrew Kellock, aged about 45. Kellock was employed in the Diamond Seam of the colliery. A fall from the roof completely buried him. When extricated he was found to have died. He leaves wife and two sons who reside in George Street, Cowdenbeath. [Evening Telegraph 27 July 1940]

2 July 1944

Robert Mackie (61), brusher, 57 Grainger Street, Lochgelly, has died in Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital from the effects of injuries which he received in the Nellie Colliery, Lochgelly, on Friday. He was caught by a fall from the roof. [Evening Telegraph 4 July 1944]

3 June 1955

Tribute to Pit Rescue Workers – Heroism in Lochgelly Colliery Accident – Tribute to the bravey of rescue workers after three men had been trapped by a fall in the No 4 Jersey Section of the Nellie Colliery, Lochgelly was paid by Mr George Mullin, area general manager of the NCB. Mr Mullin paid particular tribute to Mr Michael Cook, colliery delegate, who with the other rescuers, he said, did a magnificent job. One man, John Guy, 46, 52 Lumphinnans Road, Lochgelly, was killed in the accident which occurred last Friday night and two other Lochgelly men, Harry McKenna, 60, 18 Brucefield Terrace and David Carson, 51, 8 Stephen Place, were rescued after being entombed for 10 hours. The fall of coal and stone covered a distance of about 120 feet. Nine men were working in the section at the time but, with the exception of Guy, McKenna, and Carson, all managed to scramble to safety. Rescue operations were begun and contact was made with Guy who told one of the rescue party that there was a terrible weight on his neck and back. As he spoke there was another fall and the rescuers had to run fro their lives. When they were able to resume operations they were unable to make contact with any of the three men and hopes for their safety gradually receded. In the early hours of Saturday morning – nearly seven hours after the first fall had taken place – voices were heard and the rescue workers, redoubling their efforts, broke through to where McKenna and Carson were huddled in a small cavity measuring about three feet by three by two in height. McKenna was found to be suffering from a broken arm but Carson, apart from scratches, was uninjured. Shortly afterwards, Guy was found dead. [Dunfermline Press 11 June 1955]